2007 USAPL Mens National Powerlifting Championships St. Louis

Dave Ricks - 181 lbs.

Ht:5'6"

Hometown:Barberton, Ohio

Family:Wife of 25 years Julia Ricks. One son Justin Ricks 21 years old

Best Lifts:

SQ: 722 BP: 479; DL: 744; Total: 1,945

Born July 27, 1959 in Barberton, Ohio, the oldest of three children. I grew up in Barberton a small town in Northeastern Ohio. I was an average athlete in High School. I participated in football and wrestling. I only did limited strength training comprising just the upper body. I was able to bench 315 pounds by my senior year in High School weighing only 150 pounds. I was blessed enough to go to college at the United States Naval Academy. I participated in 150-pound football as a varsity sport during college. I was first exposed to powerlifting in the fall of 1980 during my senior year at the Naval Academy. I competed at the 165-pound weight class. Within several months of training I was able to qualify for the 1981 collegiate Nationals in Kutztown Pennsylvania. I took third place at that tournament. At that time I was squatting about 525 pounds, benching 350 pounds, and deadlifting about 540 pounds.

After graduating from the Naval Academy in spring of 1981, I began my naval career and powerlifting took a back seat.

In 1983 I was transferred to Hawaii for 4 years. I made connections with some local powerlifting clubs, began training again and competing at the local level. I eventually won the Hawaii 165-pound state title in 1986. From 1987 to 1992, I was stationed in California. I began to participate at the California ADFPA meets. During this time I became friends with Dr Jerry Moylan and Alan Kirshner. Dr. Moylan first exposed me to the benefits of chiropractic care and provided my some invaluable training methods. Alan Kirshner was the California ADFPA Chairman who ran several top notch Northern California meets.
My first major win was beating Marine Corps Ausby Alexander at the 1990 United States Military Interservice Championships. Later, after winning several national and world titles, I took some time off after 1994 to concentrate on other things in my life. I was able to return at the 1998 USAPL Open National tournament and moved up to the 181-weight class. In 2003 I retired from the U.S. Navy after a 22 year career and I am now the Director of Public Works for Montgomery County, Ohio.

Years competing:

A: Since 1981

Gym you train at:

A: NEO LIMITS FITNESS CENTER located in Centerville, OH

Prior sports background:

A: High School Football and Wrestling

Q: At what point did you have the lightbulb moment and realize "Hey, I actually have a shot at being the National Champion"?

A: When I was living in California in the late 1980’s I did very well at the state ADFPA meets and someone told me my numbers would be competitive at the national level.

Q: Tell us about your profession: what do you do for a living?

A: I am the Director of Public Works for Montgomery County, Ohio.

Q: Give us some idea of the types of struggles or hardships you've had to endure in your training…or life.

A: I have been extremely blessed in that I have had decent training conditions, but my wife truly is more of a champion than I am. She had to endure going through the struggles of breast cancer treatment which entailed surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. She is currently 6 years cancer free. I wear a pink bracelet in her honor.

Q: Tell the readers what your daily meals consist of as the contest gets closer.

A: I am typically over 10 pounds over contest weight at 8 weeks before a contest. I try to drink plenty of water to keep my system flush, eat broiled chicken, fish, and lots of vegetables and fruits.

Q: Now tell us all of the foods you'll eat in the weeks after the Mens Nationals

A: My biggest treat is that my wife bakes me a lemon meringue pie.

Q: The all-time best meal you've ever had: where was it and what was it?

A: The rib dinner at Magnolias Dinner Restaurant located in Charleston South Carolina.

Q: You are stranded on an island: What CD, book, food and drink would you have with you

A: Gospel CD, Bible, ribs, and Coke.

Q: When not lifting, what are your hobbies?

A: Photography

Q: What kind of collection(s) do you own? And what?

A: I like to collect an artifact from every I.P.F. World meet I ever attended.

Q: People would never guess this about you:

A: I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering and a Masters degree in Financial Management. I am also a registered Mechanical Engineer in the State of Minnesota.

Q: What type of intensity can we expect to see from you once the bell rings and the fight to keep your title has begun?

A: Before a big lift I will grunt a couple of times to clear my mind and focus my mental effort for the task at hand.

Q: People you would like to thank who have had a hand in your success:

A: I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet a wide number of powerlifting people in this country and all over the world. There are a few people who made a positive impact on my lifting career; my wife, Julia, for her undying support for the last 25 years, my sponsor Pete Alaniz of Titan Support Systems, and super coach Airforce Lt. Col Sean Scully. My email address is ricks181@hotmail.com